A huge wave of blowback has finally crested as country singer, Billy Currington has officially dropped out of a Connecticut anti-gun fundraiser supposedly meant to honor the victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting.

Currington released the following statement via his Facebook page:

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“I’ve never been one to take on controversial issues – I’m a singer. I do feel strongly about honoring and supporting the Sandy Hook community and will be making a donation to a local organization. I appreciate people’s freedom and passion for whatever cause they want to support, however, I am choosing to step aside from this fundraiser and will focus instead on the rest of the tour dates as I look forward to being on the road with Tim and Chase and having a blast with all of the fans.” h/t countryoutfitter

Concert headliner, Tim McGraw is staying on the bill despite a huge fan backlash which has left the popular country star defending his decision.

tim mcgraw gun photoMcGraw said, “As a gun owner, I support gun ownership, I also believe that with gun ownership comes the responsibility of education and safety – most certainly when it relates to what we value most, our children. I can’t imagine anyone who disagrees with that.”

“Through a personal connection, I saw firsthand how the Sandy Hook tragedy affected families and I felt their pain. The concert is meant to do something good for a community that is recovering.”

Developing.